SECTION ON VENEZUELAN STUDIES (SVS)

Report to LASA and to Our Members

March 2000

 

 

Founded in 1997, SVS has two objectives1) to foster interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among scholars, students, and non academics whose work considers Venezuelan culture, politics, economy, ecology, social issues and other aspects of Venezuela; and 2) to facilitate dissemination of information among members and non members through public events and the media.

 

During the period September 1998 and March 2000, SVS fulfilled its objectives through the following activities:

-expansion of the WebPage with names, addresses, and a short bio on current and prospective members; a statement of purpose; Section news; and numerous links to research, news, organizational and other sites;

-inauguration of the Mirror Site located in Venezuela at IESA.

-sponsorship of an interactive discussion forum for members.

-electronic dissemination of information on the 8 panels and over 90 papers on Venezuela that were part of LASA2000.

-sponsorship of two interdisciplinary panels at LASA 2000.

-nomination of a film--Oscar Lucien's "Piel"-for the LASA Film Award (which it won) and sponsorship of a showing of the film during LASA2000.

-fundraising and letterwriting to support member travel to LASA  meetings by Venezuelan scholars and practitioners. The Council cancelled their fundraising for SVS events after the environmental disaster in Venezuela in December 1999 and turned attention to raising funds for people affected by the tragedy.

-electronic news and messages were sent to Section members via email at least once a month

-nominations and elections were conducted electronically.

-SVS held a business meeting at LASA2000 attended by approximately 40 people.

-SVS held a joint reception with the Brazilian Studies section during LASA2000.

 

The Executive Committee (Council) for this coming period is comprised of

 

Cathy Rakowski, re-elected as chair until LASA2001

Angel Alvarez, UCV, Venezuela, continues as Secretary-Treasurer until LASA2001

 

Council members until LASA2001

Emperatriz Arreaza, LUZ, Venezuela

Michael Duodoroff, Univ. of Kansas

 

Council memers through LASA2003

Leonardo Ledezma, La Salle University

Elizabeth Nichols, Drury University

Maria Pilar Garcia Guadilla, USB, Venezuela

Luis Gomez Calcaño, CENDES, Venezuela

 

Margaret Martin continues as our Web Page Manager and maintains the site at the Univ. Of Michigan (an appointed office). Janet Kelly facilitates the Mirror Web (Pagina Espejo) in IESA (an appointed office).